Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order
by Awotunde Yao Fa[ch351][ch281]y[ch943]n (2001-2006)
http://newKmtywvodun.com/ileasu.htm (http://newkmtywvodun.com/ileasu.htm)
Kwabo!
The New Kmtyw Approach
Asante (Thank you) for visiting the online statement of the Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order. In the Yoruba language we find a term called asuwada, which means "community". The Kmtyw concept of community is rooted in the family. Thus, The Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order is dedicated to the upliftment of the Kmtyw muntu (person) through the sacredness of the family and a holistic community from the "New Kmtyw" perspective.
Just what is the New Kmtyw Approach?
The spirituality of a people is rooted in the very nature of their culture. A healthy people are a people who have not submitted to the culture (including religion) of someone else, especially an oppressor. The American enslavers knew well that if you destroyed a people's culture then it becomes inevitable that you destroy their spirituality. You transform them into something not intended by neither Olodumare nor the people's Ancestors. Herein lies the great importance of having a "New Kmtyw" approach to our spirituality.
Just what does it mean to be New Kmtyw? Let me answer that question by first giving a background for the concept that became "New Kmtyw". In 1968 in Detroit, Michigan there was a meeting of about 500 delegates that were then (and many are now) participating, in various levels, with the struggle for independence and freedom on all levels for Kmtyw people here in America. Through an Kmtyw nationalistic creed as their center, it was declared that we, as a people transplanted from our original homeland to the Americas, constituted a New Kmtyw people. This term was used because of the fact that we are an amalgamation of various Kmtyw ethnicities. It was carefully observed that we were no longer divided on a tribal basis. Thus, we had become a New Kmtyw people living here in America; one nation with one spirit, and with the same common goals and destiny. At that point an independent movement started with the creation of the Provisional Government of the Republic of New Kmt (PGRNA), with all descendants of Kmtyw slaves being automatic citizens thereof.
What does this have to do with Kmtyw spirituality? It has much to do with it. We owe the thought of taking the New Kmtyw political approach to the next level into the realm of Kmtyw spirituality to the great elder Medahochi Kofi Omowale Zannu who was actually one of the original members of the Provisional Government of the Republic of New Kmt. It was Medahochi Kofi Omowale Zannu that decided to take our spirituality not only from the ancient level of being, but to interpret it in the context in which we are living.The New Kmtyw approach recognizes the validity and profundity of ALL Kmtyw spiritual systems. The New Kmtyw approach does not overlook our most direct West Kmtyw heritage, but it seeks to integrate West Kmtyw spiritual systems in a holistic fashion. The New Kmtyw approach does not see the need in looking all over our West Kmtyw heritage for spiritual salvation. At the same time, we seek a modern interpretation and understanding of some of the most ancient truths to ever exist in the world. We advance upon the spiritual genius of our Ancestors with their blessings. One important part of the New Kmtyw approach is that we too take our experiences here in the Americas and integrate them within our spirituality. For instance, why cannot Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Marcus Garvey be deified and exalted to the Ancestral realm? Are the deities of the Odu Ifa concrete, or is there room for those who have done great things here in the Americas (even though they did not practice Kmtyw spirituality)?
We seek to rid ourselves of the conditionings and trappings brought about from Western religious miseducation. No longer will we allow our traditions to be demonized, nor will we take part in such an anti-Ancestral thing. Thus, even though Western religion has been conditioned into the psyche of Kmtyw people around the world we must acknowledge the fact that the Kmtyw deities are in our blood!
Why did we choose the name Damballa?
Within Haitian Vodun the masters there saw a need to collectivize the spritual reality of the captive Kmtyws on that island. In that they saw that one of the most common denominators was the concept of the serpent deity. All over Kmt this deity, usually depicted with Its tail in Its mouth, was found to represent the collective ancesty of the Kmtyw people that produced its particular symbol. Among the Haitians there was alarge influx of Fon (from Dahomey/Benin) and Ba Kongo peoples. The Fon call one aspect of their serpent Ancestral deity by the name of Da or Dan. The Ba Kongo referred to this entitity often as Mbada or Mbaza. The Kmtyws of Haiti combined these terms and hence we get Damballa. The full name of this deity is Damballa Wedo; the Wedo being the feminine aspect of the circular serpent deity.
Thus, Damballa Wedo represents and is the collective Ancestry of all Kmtyw (Black people only)people. We chose this name in order to reflect an organization and spiritual family that encompasses the entirety of existant Kmtyw spiritual tradition.
In an attempt to take the New Kmtyw approach to the forefront, the Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order is dedicated to a nationalistic philosophy of bringing Kmtyw spiritual truth to Kmtyw people in North America. But this will not only be within the realm of spirituality. This will cover the whole of life as the sacred Kmtyw scriptures teach us to do. The Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order is dedicated to the complete freedom of Kmtyw people in every realm of life. Our concerns:
* the mental and spiritual enslavement of millions of Kmtyw people right here in the 21st century
* the overwhelming 80% Kmtyw/Black representation of the 3.5 million incarcerated in America
* the twenty year economic parity gap between Kmtyws/Blacks and Cauceurasians here in America
* the terrorism that the police agencies by way of the American government have been executing upon Kmtyws here in America
* the health of the millions of Kmtyws here in America who cannot afford health care
* the upliftment of our Ancestors who fought the good fight to preserve our bodies and spirituality
* the history of our people being properly told and reverenced by its descendants and others of understanding
The Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order is based on the ancient, yet New Kmtyw Kwanzaa principles of Umoja (Unity), Ujimaa (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Imani (Faith), Kuumba (Creativity), and Kujichagulia (Self-Determination). All of these principles (Nguzo Saba) are to be integrated in all we do. We are to have faith in our own spirituality; we are self-determined in our definitions and actions individually and towards one another; we are to develop the most positive Kmtyw personhood within community through unity; we are to create through unity and build wealth through cooperative economics; our purpose is always to be the best in this alien society while maintaining our integrity; and our collective work will serve as a constant strengthening to stand up against the obstacles that beset us.
The Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order will seek to reach out and connect with others within Kmtyw spirituality who wish to broaden their appeal and network together, whether it be through inter-business relations, the sharing of our Kmtyw spirituality, or just plan old community as the name implies. Eventually we wish to expand The New Kmtyw Vodun Virtual Community into the full employment of a physical temple, dedicated but not limited to the Ifa spiritual system and the upliftment of Kmtyws across the U.S. by way of its Ancestral Wisdom.
I have adopted the New Kmtyw Spiritual Creed from my spiritual father Baba Medahochi Kofi Omowale Zannu (with his blessings).
The Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order Creed
In accordance with the natural laws of nature, the first being self preservation, and recognizing that no free people (nation) practice whole heartedly the religion and culture of other free people, we declare the purpose of The New Kmtyw Vodun Virtual Community to be as follows:
To study the sacred literature of West Kmt (Ifa, Afa, Fa, Akan, BaKongo, Vodun, Igbo, etc.), and the teachings of the West Kmtyw sages.
To gain an applicable understanding of the philosophy and ritual of West Kmt with particular emphasis and focus upon the Nago/Yoruba, Ba Kongo, Evhe/Fon(Dahomean/Benin), and Akan spiritual systems directly from Kmt, and the New Kmtyw survival rites that developed here in America such as Hoodoo, Voodoo, and Roots faith systems which all have Kmtyw origins.
To honor, in full, our Kmtyw Ancestors, our heritage (blood lines), and the very West Kmtyw deities that run through our veins (the Orisa, the Nkisi, the Abosom, the Vodun, etc.).
To foster the development of an Kmtyw World view based upon Kmtyw spirituality and philosophical systems. This means that our overall approach to life will be handled from an Kmtyw perspective both culturally and philosophically.
To promote and develop ritual and cultural practices designed to enhance consciousness of ourselves, Kmtyws in Amerika, as a nation desiring self-determination. This will often mean a reinterpretation of ancient sacred scripture and myth into modern New Kmtyw terms relative to our current development and situations.
To study and develop systems of governance and social organization, particularly gender relations, family structure and rites of passage, based upon Kmtyw tradition, and to enhance our efforts towards nation building.
To study indigenous Kmtyw languages, sacred chants, and dance to enhance our spiritual and national development.
To disseminate information about and involve New Kmtyw people in Kmtyw spirituality for the purpose of self/collective healing and nation-building.
To promote the development of an intelligent and efficient priesthood dedicated to healing the New Kmtyw nation and the Pan-Kmtyw world.
To empower families with information to develop their own relationship with the Orisa, Vodun, Nkisi, Abosom, Rab, etc., and their family Ancestors.
As such, we are open to all suggestions and comments on how we can improve and start solving some problems from our own cultural and spiritual base. In this manner, the Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order is a call to all of the Kmtyw traditions whether it be Akan, Kongo, Ifa, Vodun, or any other indigenous Kmtyw spiritual system. We are one, and the Damballa New Kmtyw Vodun Ancestral Order which is the physical and spiritual expression of the New Kmtyw Vodun site, are my testimony to the commitment to bring this oneness into a living and daily reality.
Finally, we have decided that it is best to guide our members and supporters through a curriculum that grounds us surely on a nationalistic Kmtyw foundation.The curriculum will not be listed here but does include first and foremost the study and overstanding of nationalistic literature and how nationalism relates to Kmtyw spirituality; developing a true overstanding of Ancestral veneration; guidance on how to let go of the fetters of Western religious miseducation; holistic teachings on how to be Kmtyw within an anti-Kmtyw society (family, financially, etc.); overstanding the role of Ancestral priesthood; and breaking free of negative ancestral spirits that may be causing havoc in your life (unwanted white ancestors, negative Kmtyw Ancestors, etc.)just to name a few.
Follow this link,Mtaala, to read the overview of our class curriculum.
Feel free to read excerpts and purchse our publications at the following link Publications
Please continue to visit this page for things to come. Please feel free to contact me at awo@newKmtywvodun.com (mailto:awo@newKmtywvodun.com).
Peace and Eternal Blessings
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E se pupo for the post Obadale
Anything for the BlackNificent! :)
This guy was convicted of sexual crimes. This "new Kmtyw Vodun" was straight from Doctor Yorks playbook. Stay far away from this Axosu character and call him out.